Chapter 103


    The atmosphere of the mansion felt strange.


    It had been a day since Sharon realized this, noticing the absence of people.


    Sharon, bound to the corner of the mansion by Herman.


    Through the crack of the door, she saw figures with strikingly red hair passing by.


    They were members of the Bloodstone Cult.


    They were the enemies who took her mother away, the targets of her vengeance.


    Sharon loosened the chains that bound her hands and feet. She didnt dare to do so recklessly, knowing that Herman would be furious if she did. On such days, his punishment would be even harsher.


    However, it was evident that something had happened in the mansion now.


    She could deal with the consequencester.


    Sharon followed the trail of the Bloodstone Cult.


    Their steps led towards the masters study.


    <em>Creak</em>


    Sharon opened the door and witnessed an unbelievable sight.


    The head of the family, Richard Pierce, stood in the study with arge wound on his chest.


    Are you alright, Master Pierce?


    The bloodsuckers who followed her were already dead.


    It was expected. Master Pierce had always despised the Bloodstone Cult. Even her dying mother had said so. To defeat the Bloodstone Cult, one must stand by Master Pierces side.


    Now, Master Pierce was dealing with masked figures of unknown identity.


    It seemed he got injured while fighting them.


    Blood flowed from his abdomen.


    W-what happened


    Sharon. Let me borrow your prison for a moment.


    What?


    Richard smiled softly at Sharon, who followed after him.


    Sharon wasnt surprised by the fact that it was her first time seeing him smile.


    His mouth opened straight away.


    Let me borrow your dantian. It is needed.


    Ah.


    Can you entrust me with it?


    Entrusting ones dantian was never a decision to be made lightly. No. Could one simply give away their dantian so easily as to speak of it casually? Surely, there was no ordinary way. It must be some sort of intermediate magic. Suitable for use by the Bloodstone Cult.


    Sharon. My child. Help your father for a moment.


    For the first time, Master Pierce called her his child, and all doubts melted away.


    Sharon nodded her head, as if enchanted.


    Yes, Master Pierce.


    Something struck Sharons back.


    Her vision was engulfed in darkness.


    Suddenly, she remembered the day her mother died.


    Her back had been struck then, too, and blood had flowed from her eyes.


    That day, her mother had said.


    To hate the Bloodstone Cult and to stand by the family head.


    She had no choice but to follow those words.


    <em>Kwaaang!</em>


    A moment ago, where Ian had been, a massive ice spear passed through.


    A few severed strands of hair floated in the air before falling.


    One of Grand Duke Richard Pierces hidden patterns, Ice Impale. A pattern that annihtes opponents with horn-like ice pirs.


    Fighting the final boss, Richard Pierce, in the scenario of Fanta X Aca was one of the worst possible scenarios, but some deliberately chose to fight him.


    Most people would die from just one of his sword strikes, but some had discovered a few hidden patterns.


    One of them was Ice Impale, a pattern that could sweep away opponents with giant horn-shaped ice pirs with just a flick of his wrist.


    Richard Pierce, Frostblood Sword.


    He was fundamentally a knight and a swordsman who had reached the pinnacle of mastery with his sword.


    His overwhelming swordsmanship was his most impressive ability, mercilessly cutting down opponents with a single stroke.


    The problem was that even in using knightly aura, he had almost reached a levelparable to magic.


    While all knights imitated magic through sword techniques, Richard could use such techniques even without a sword.


    Sword Aura.


    The ability to utilize a sword even without its physical form.


    Focusing solely on the final bosss sword could result in losing ones life to suddenly appearing magical patterns.


    I almost died.


    Richards hand gesture.


    If he hadnt been aware of the flick of his index finger pattern, he would have died.


    It was a pattern etched into his mind because most people who saw it died.


    A chill ran down his spine.


    It felt like all the sensations in his body were being squeezed out.


    He narrowly escaped certain death.


    This crazy final boss.


    He was just looking greedy a moment ago.


    Now hes trying to kill him without leaving a trace.


    No. Is he testing him instead?


    Ians pupils narrowed as he looked at Richard.


    The faint smile on Richards lips was more sinister than ever.


    Isnt your counterattack a bit too strong?


    I wonder if its because its someone elses mana, I cant seem to control it.


    Do you see the end behind that old man?


    It seemed Ian felt pretty annoyed at being seen through, using Sharons own dantian and mana.


    Ian silently steadied his breath.


    Then, he drew his sword without hesitation.


    The third strike.


    The attack pierced Richards heart like a stab.


    <em>Kaang!</em>


    Richards sword easily blocked Ians attack.


    Ugh!


    Despite being shaken by the difference in strength, Ian moved forward.


    One, two.


    The damage umted.


    Yet, he continued his onught without crumbling.


    His sword was his branch.


    It was natural for snow to pile up on it in winter.


    <em></em>


    <em>Kaaaang!</em>


    Once again, from Ians extended sword, a white snowke-like sword aura was unleashed.


    Hoo.


    Richard involuntarily uttered a small admiration. A magician with this level of swordsmanship. Not only was the utilization of the sword remarkable, but the strength of his swordsmanship was also unexpectedly impressive.


    However, Ians sword missed Richard and stuck into the ground.


    A snowke that had bloomed disappeared around Sharon.


    Ian confirmed Sharons pupils flickering.


    She was somewhat aware of the surrounding situation.


    Perhaps her mind was foggy from sharing her dantian.


    Richard spoke coldly.


    Do you think you can protect that girl?


    Step by step, he approached Sharon.


    Would I let someone else hunt the prey Ive raised?


    Sharons trembling shoulders.


    Look at that viinous final boss. Is he doing this now?


    Our heroine, stupid Sharon, had a high chance of getting caught up in it.


    Of course, I wouldnt allow it.


    Indeed.


    Because you dislike it when someone else hunts the prey youve raised.


    Richards lips twisted.


    <em>Tch.</em>


    Damn it!


    <em>Kwaaaang!</em>


    Ian rolled to the side, but his thigh was deeply cut.


    I thought it was a coincidence.


    But apparently not.


    Desire gleamed in Richards eyes.


    You know my skills. Abilities that Ive never shown to anyone.


    There was no room to reply.


    The bleeding thigh felt icy.


    Ian tore his sleeve and quickly applied pressure to his thigh.


    Ugh.


    After just two counterattacks from Richard, Ian was in this state.


    Struggling to stand again, Ian spoke.


    Not to Richard, but to Sharon.


    Sharon, get up. You must have seen it just now. Even if you didnt see it, you must have felt it.


    There was no response. But he was sure she was listening.


    Its your mothers swordsmanship. Yerina, say something.


    Y-yes. I saw it too! Richard Pierce was devouring your mother!


    Sharons unfocused pupils began to shake violently.


    But Richard intervened.


    Are you going to fight with words instead of swords now? Truly pathetic.


    Richards lips curled coldly.


    Sharon Pierce.


    Richard addressed her.


    Trust your fathers words. Thats deception.


    Sharons shaking pupils gradually calmed.


    The Snowke Sword Technique is onlyplete when snowkes bloom. Do you really think this child can bring forth snowkes? Its just an illusion created by magic.


    Sharons head drooped like a broken doll.


    With a sinister smile and madness, Richard turned to Ian.


    Boy, it wont go as you think.


    <em>Grrr.</em>


    Ian gritted his teeth.


    Yeah.


    One of the reasons Richard was so difficult was because of this.


    He was sinister and maliciouspared to his abilities.


    He had raised his children just to absorb them.


    Theres no choice but to show it.


    <em>Thud!</em>


    Ian kicked the ground.


    And he charged straight at Richard.


    It felt like running towards death.


    But there was no other way.


    Whether to close the eyes of the fallen stupid heroine or to open them.


    Because that was the only way, Ian rushed towards the final boss.


    <em> Kwaaaang!</em>


    As soon as Ian struck, Richard counterattacked.


    But this time, it was different.


    As if not tolerating Ians nonsense, Richards sword filled the space in front of him as if it split into multiple swords.


    Illusion Swords!


    Ian immediately transformed his sword into a shield-like shape.


    Protecting only vital spots.


    <em> Sssaaack! </em>


    <em> Sssssack!</em>


    With chilling sounds, his body was shed.


    Blood flowed down his torn forehead, obscuring his vision, and his wounded left arm lost its strength. But he immediately turned the shield back into a sword.


    He looked at the growing eyes of Richard and struck with the sword.


    Richards eyes twitched.


    The swords shed.


    There was a clear gap in skill.


    But.


    <em> Tsuzuzuzut!</em>


    Ian, who evaded Richards sword, swung his arm long.


    As if sweeping away piled-up snow on a branch unable to bear the weight of snow.


    !


    As white snowkes bloomed, one, two.


    Snowkes began to bloom.


    What!


    Richards eyes were filled with astonishment.


    It was undoubtedly the Snowke Sword Technique that he had swallowed.


    One, two.


    The blooming snowkes sparkled brightly around him.


    Although not many, they were unmistakable snowkes.


    Richard swatted away the snowkesing towards him.


    However.


    One of themnded in front of Sharon Pierce.


    The white snowke reflected in Sharons darkened pupils.


    Light returned to her eyes.


    <em> Cough!</em>


    Ian, spitting out blood roughly from his mouth, nced at her.


    Sharon Pierce. Did you sleep well?